AKRON, Ohio — Aug. 16, 2021 — Goodwill Industries serving Summit, Portage, Medina, Ashland and Richland Counties is pleased to have Lorna Wisham, vice president, corporate affairs and community involvement, and president, FirstEnergy Foundation, FirstEnergy Corp., present the keynote address at its 20th Annual Employee of Distinction Award Program on Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2021. For details on how to participate in the event visit www.goodwillakron.org/EDL.
As Vice President, Corporate Affairs and Community Involvement, Wisham is responsible for charitable giving, employee volunteerism, and executive nonprofit board placements. She also serves as President of the FirstEnergy Foundation overseeing an annual $10 million investment portfolio.
Wisham joined FirstEnergy in 2005 and has held roles in external affairs, most recently as Senior A Advisor, Federal AAffairs in Washington, DC, where she lobbied the United States Congress and the White House Administration on utility operations, cyber-security, and other issues. She transferred home in July 2018 for a brief leadership role with a FirstEnergy operating company before being tapped to lead the corporate philanthropy group.
Before joining FirstEnergy, Wisham worked for the City of Cleveland and Downtown Cleveland Partnership. With a passion for community involvement, she serves on several nonprofit boards, including Cuyahoga Community College Foundation, United Way of Greater Cleveland, First Tee of Cleveland, the Women’s Endowment Fund, Women of Color Foundation and University Hospitals. Lorna is the recipient of honors from Savoy Magazine, SmartBusiness Magazine, and the Diversity Center of Northeast Ohio, among others; and was recently named a YWCA Greater Cleveland Woman of Achievement and Girl Scouts of Northeast Ohio Woman of Distinction. She is a graduate of Leadership Cleveland and was recently accepted in the Leadership Akron Signature 38 Class.
Wisham received a bachelor’s degree in business and organizational communication from The University of Akron and a master’s degree in public communication from American University. She is a life-time member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and serves as Vice President of Programs for the Western Reserve (OH) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated.
Employee of Distinction Award Program
The Employee of Distinction event is Goodwill’s signature employee recognition event. This year, the program will recognize 106 honorees – all to be acknowledged at the event, listed in the commemorative program, and in the running to be named one of the top Employees of Distinction (chosen by a panel of independent judges). In addition, all honorees will receive a commemorative gift.
Event Details
Date: Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2021
Time: 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Location: In person at Guy’s Party Center, 500 E. Waterloo Road in Akron, or participate virtually
Cost: $30 per ticket
Event Chairs: Chris Canova, executive director, Jobs for Ohio’s Graduates; Pamela Crombie, program manager, Jobs For Ohio’s Graduates; and Chrissy Myers, CEO, AUI.
Event Sponsors
Thank you to the event sponsors to date – Platinum: Clarity HR; Gold: Presper Financial Architects; Silver: Britton Gallagher; Eric & Nan McClenaghan; PNC Financial Services Group; and W3 Wealth Management; Bronze: Bober Markey Fedorovich; Campbell Construction Inc.; and Fifth Third Bank; Copper: S.A. Comunale; Marc Servodio & Erin Ehrlinspiel; and Jeana Singleton, Brennan, Manna, Diamond; Table: Comfort Systems USA; Gold Program Partner: Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority; Battered Women’s Shelter of Summit and Medina Counties; The Blick Center; Summit County Executive Ilene Shapiro’s Department of Job and Family Services; and VANTAGE Aging; Silver Program Partner: Community Support Services; The County of Summit ADM Board; Hattie Larlham; and Summit County Children Services; Bronze Program Partner: Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank; Diamond Patron: Jennifer & Justin Bako; David & Kathleen Bucci; Dr. Pleas R. Chambers III, Professional Driving Instructor, State of Ohio Licensed; Chuck & Debbie Ducey; Bill & Mary Glaeser; William & Susan Hanlon; Mary Ellen & Joe Hinkle; Danielle Kimmell; and Kimberly & Greg Morton; Gold Patron: Chip Clupper; Julie & Randy Katz; Mary Anne & C. Allen Nichols; Diane Smith; and Charles & Leslie Zonfa; Patron: Brad Gilbo; and Laura Judge; Media: akronlife and WAKR/WONE/WQMX/WNWV.
About Goodwill Industries Serving Summit, Portage, Medina, Ashland & Richland Counties
The Goodwill Industries of Akron, Ohio, Inc., is a not-for-profit corporation that helps individuals prepare for, find and retain employment. Operating in the five-county region of Summit, Portage, Medina, Ashland & Richland, the agency was established in 1927. It is a private, independent organization, operating as an affiliate member of Goodwill Industries International. Goodwill helps to directly strengthen the region’s workforce through its employment programs and indirectly through the net proceeds from its retail outlets and business services division. For more information about GIA, visit www.goodwillakron.org or call 800-989-8428.
Contact: Jennifer Bako
(330) 786-2519
jbako@goodwillakron.org